CZ20013224A3

CZ20013224A3 - Method for fixing an elastic clamp band and equipment therefor

Info

Publication number: CZ20013224A3
Application number: CZ20013224A
Authority: CZ
Inventors: Pascal Gillet; Fabrice Petit; Laurent Melin
Original assignee: Gillet Outillage
Priority date: 1999-03-08
Filing date: 2000-03-08
Publication date: 2003-02-12
Also published as: HUP0200215A2; MXPA01009125A; US6718607B1; EP1034895A1; BR0008803A; PL354624A1; AU3173300A; WO2000053374A1; FR2790696A1; FR2790696B1; CA2362730A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and an implementing equipment for fixing an elastic clamp band (1) to the lugs (5) particularly adapted, for example, for recurrent mounting of a flexible connection pipe (12) on a pipe system (13). The invention is characterised in that it comprises an automatic dispenser (2) of clamp bands (1) arranged to position each clamp band (1) such that its two lugs are externally accessible to be seized by the grips (9, 52, 103) of a hand tool for extracting and fixing (8, 50, 100) which are brought together to compress the lugs (5) of the clamp band (1) by external actuating means (11) separately controlled, the tool (8, 50, 100) comprising means for bringing together the grips (9, 52, 103) freely and reversibly when the external actuating means (11) are activated and means for releasing them instantly or gradually at the desired moment with an external control (14, 123).

Description

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for mounting elastic tab clips with a tab, particularly adapted for assembling pipelines, e.g. the invention also relates to tools for carrying out the method.

Background Art

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to tape clamps which are conventionally manufactured from a sheet metal strip usually formed into a ring. The present ring is adapted to deform by spacing its two ends, which form a resilient return pair used for attachment. Particularly interesting among these types of tape clamps are those whose both ends of the spring tape overlap each other. At one of the ends of the tape clamp, an intermediate cutout extends for a few centimeters to form a passage for its second end having a reduced width corresponding to said passage. Each of the two ends of the clamp is provided with a control handle obtained by bending the outer portion thereof slightly at right angles out of the clamp, wherein the two control ears can be easily pressed together by the jaws of the pliers, resulting in a larger diameter of the tape clamp. and, after being released for resilient return necessary to attach, for example, a flexible pipe to the pipe system.

There are many tools for assembling and dismantling such tape clamps, which are, however, generally hand-operated and independent. These tools must be small in size and particularly lightweight to suit the speed required by current production lines.

There are other problems associated with these tools, which are related to the fact that these tools require the user

FR-90

To require, for each mounted elastic band clamp, at least the force necessary to expand them, although they use a lever system greatly facilitating this operation, as disclosed, for example, in French Patent FR-96/16083.

From this, it is clear that it would be advantageous to have a mechanized device allowing the user to bias the flexible tape clamps prior to deployment, without simultaneously losing the small size advantage of a strictly handy and independent tool allowing fast and accurate deployment in an environment with very limited accessibility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, and in accordance with the present invention, for mounting elastic tab clamps, particularly adapted to reassemble flexible tubes to a pipe system, there is provided a method that is noteworthy in that from a tape clamp cartridge associated with a hand tool that is an autonomous, tool-setting tool for inserting the elastic tape clamps, said tool typically being provided with two jaws shaped to press the tabs and pressing them together to open the tape clamp, using the following steps:

a) placing the tool jaws on the tabs of the first tape clamp suitably positioned in the cartridge,

b) pre-locking the tool jaws abutting the tabs of said tape clamp and bringing it into an open position by means of mechanized control means,

c) self-holding of the jaws in the prestressed position by means of the internal means of the tool,

d) extracting said first tape clamp held in the open position by the hand tool from the container and accurate

FR-90

-3Automatically position the second tape clamp in the ready-to-pull position

e) attaching an open tape clamp around the flexible tube,

f) releasing the locking of the tool jaws provided for this purpose by the control means for closing the tape clamp on the flexible tube and clamping it on the pipe system and releasing the tool for the new operation.

It is readily understood that it is of great interest to have a method that does not require the user to exert the energy necessary to bias the flexible tape clamps prior to deployment on the pipe, which is instead performed by an external device that can be automatically or manually controlled by the operator itself.

According to a preferred embodiment, the biasing operation of the tape clamps takes place in the container, thereby eliminating the risk of sudden ejection and breakage that can currently be observed using conventional hand tools when inserting the tape clamps between their jaws.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a hand-held tool for pulling out and putting on, which is particularly adapted for use in the method described above. According to a first modification, such a tool comprises two opposed jaws shaped to receive the tabs of a flexible tape clamp and positioned at the end of two articulated V-shaped arms for co-operation with the tape clamp magazine in a fixed position provided with its biasing system as mentioned. In this modification, the insertion tool is provided with a locking system allowing the jaw clamping mechanism to operate freely and automatically to compress the tape clamp and, on the other hand, to prevent reverse movement, except when actuation is provided for the purpose of automatically opening the movable jaws.

According to this first modification, the jaw release agent, which will be described in more detail below, does not allow for gradual

releasing so that the fastening of the tape clamp is extremely fast, which in certain situations can lead to a loss of accuracy in its clamping in the clamping area. This is why there are also two further modifications to the fitting tool that can use the method of the invention and which allow a more gradual release of the jaws when mounting the tape clamp on the flexible pipes.

Thus, according to further modifications of the insertion tool, the insertion tool comprises two arms provided at one of their ends with jaws and at the other end with a hinge for free opening of the arms by applying a tension in the strip clamp from a position in which the arms are held together or the jaws maintain compression. a tape clamp, in an open position in a V-position allowing the jaws to be attached to the tabs of the tape clamp, when appropriately prepared in the rigid container, or to release the clamp after its attachment to the flexible tube, in conjunction with such means that when said arms are inserted together with their with the articulated ends in the direction of their longitudinal axis inwards and at the stop at the bottom of the housing, only the jaws protrude from the opening of said housing with which the arms cooperate to be kept in a closed position and stabilized by the braking means, and vice versa when said arms extend outwardly controlled by applying the force of the strip clamp to a stop close to the opening of the housing, they open to a position V by the action of a resilient member acting against both of them.

The great advantage provided by these new modifications of the insertion tool, in which the jaws are released in a sequential manner, or according to a second modification by a controlled return of the tool, allowing the two arms to be gradually opened and hence the release of the tape clamp, which in addition is necessarily abutted against the passage to resist the return the force (which prevents any lateral displacement of the tape clamp along the flexible tube during assembly) or in a third modification by preferentially using the outer edges of the arms of the tool which are

The FR-90 is used as a smooth track or partially bent to provide, under the force of a compressed strip clamp, the respective free conduction and slip on one arm and free conduction or braking on the other arm under the control mechanism controlled to form both arms, starting with their inner the back-up position when the tape clamp is fully depressed has been opened gradually out of the graduated and controlled action of said mechanism.

On the other hand, assuming that the mounting of the tape clamp takes place mostly under tight conditions (vehicle assembly line), it should be borne in mind that there is rarely enough space for mounting the tape clamp on the flexible tube to perform oblique or even perpendicular release. with respect to the pipe, and the correct use of the fitting tool is needed.

To overcome this major disadvantage encountered in the first two modifications, it has been proposed, in accordance with the essential features of the third modification, to mount the jaws on the tool arms to at least tilt the tool as it opens to release the tape clamps; this implies that such a situation cannot be managed otherwise than by the gradual control of the opening of the arms by the release mechanism provided in the third embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages will become more apparent from the description of the instrument for carrying out the method of the invention by way of non-limiting example of the invention with reference to the drawings in which:

Figures 1 to 4 schematically illustrate four basic steps of a method of mounting a flexible tape clamp to secure a flexible pipe to a pipe from a tape clamp container, Figures 5 and 6 are partial schematic elevation views (Figure 5) and top (Figure 6) of feed system and • 4 4 «

Fig. 7 shows the top view of the basic elements forming the first embodiment of the hand tool for pulling the tool 1 and putting the elastic tape clips in the solid position with the solid lines and in the pulling position of the tape clamp; Fig. 8 corresponds to a cross-section along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7 showing the kinematics of the components in a plane perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 7; Figs. 9 and 10 are shown in axial sections, from the side (Fig. 9) and from above ( Fig. 10), pull-out and insertion tool according to the invention according to the first embodiment, Fig. 11 is a cross-section along line XI-XI of Fig. 10.

FIG. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an insertion tool according to the invention, according to a second modification, wherein the arms are opened in a position ready to pull the tape clamp; Fig. 13 is an isometric view of the inner mechanism of the tool of Fig. 1 showing its operation; Fig. 1 is the same section as in the previous figure, on which the arms are in the working position and inside the tool; Fig. 16 is a section according to the previous figure of symmetry plane perpendicular to the plane of the arms Figures 17 and 18 are perspective views of an automatic tape clamp cartridge used in conjunction with this second tooling in an initial position (Figure 6) and in a final position before being pulled out (Figure 7);

FR-90 -7year. Fig. 19 is an example of using a strip clamp on a flexible tube by means of a tool according to the second embodiment in its working position; Fig. 20 is a view similar to the previous one; the tool is in its final extended position just before being removed from the tabs of the tape clamp.

FIG. Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a fitting tool according to the invention, showing all components of the embodiment relative to each other; Fig. 22 is a vertical axial section through a first tool arrangement of the third modification in which the release mechanism is adjusted by a shoe; Fig. 23 is a vertical axial section through a second tool arrangement according to a third modification in which control is obtained by a gear wheel; Fig. 24 shows a mounting tool according to the previous Fig.

FIG. Fig. 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the control gear of the tool shown in Figs. 23 and 24, engaging a portion of the notched arm in the eccentric locking position; Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the gear shown in Fig. 25 in the centered locking position; the vertical axial section of the tool holding the band clamp as shown in Figs. 23 and 24 but in the intermediate release position, Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the previous tool in the final position after release of the band clamp;

FR-90 Figs. 29 and 30 are partial schematic views on an enlarged scale of a toothed adjusting system forming part of a fitting tool in its third embodiment; Fig. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion corresponding to the adjusting member in the sectional plane XI-XI Fig. 29 is a partial perspective view of the end of the hook adjusting the tool adjusting system of Figs. 21 to 31 illustrating an eccentric actuator operating portion cooperating with the notched tool arm; Fig. 33 is an enlarged perspective view of the adjuster of the roller adjuster 34 and 35 are schematic views of rotatable portions of the shoulder heads of a fitting tool according to the third embodiment, respectively illustrating, respectively, an isometric front view, a aligned jaw (FIG. 34) and a right-angled jaw (FIG. 35), Fig. 36 is vertical a cross section of the die head of a notched tool arm in a third embodiment.

EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

1 to 4, the method of attaching the elastic tape clamps 1 according to the invention comprises a tape clamp container 2 allowing, as shown in FIG. 1, stacking tape clamps on an edge in a vertical column 3 having substantially outer dimensions of the closed tape clamps and a front cut-out 6 somewhat larger than the distance of the opening portions for the elastic band clamps 11, referred to herein as "ears 5".

The vertical column 3 opens in its lower part 6 into a housing 1 having a height slightly greater than the width of the tape clamps 11. The side cutout allows you to release the control tabs

clamps 1, which are fed by their own weight, one by one, while simultaneously guiding them, as shown below, to be withdrawn from the housing by a hand tool 8 which is provided with two jaws 9 fixed at the ends of the two arms 10 which will be forward by pulling the user open against each other by two thrust shoes 11 disposed on opposite sides of the arms 10 and brought transversely to one another as shown in FIG. 2 by a mechanical device, preferably provided with a motor, controlled automatically or step by step by the user.

When the arms 10 of the tool 8 are mechanically clamped and thus open the tape clamp 11 by bringing the two tabs 5 closer together, it will be possible, as will be pointed out below, to pull the tool with the tape clamp in this position as shown in FIG. 3.

The user can then very accurately fit the tape clamp 34, by means of the tool 8, onto the flexible tube 12 previously mounted on the pipe 13, for example a motor vehicle.

Finally, once fitted, the elastic band clamp X must be released by the tool 8 in order to assume its original diameter and thereby clamp the flexible tube 12 onto the pipe 13. For this purpose, the tool 8 is provided with a release mechanism of which several modifications will be described later.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a particular construction of the cartridge mechanism for the flexible tape clamps 1 of the present invention will be described.

The elastic band clamps 11 stacked at the edges in the stack 3 of the container 2 form an automatic supply of the tape clamps coming into the casing located, for example, on the support table adjacent to the work station. Thus, the strip clamp 1 at the lower end of the column 2 in the housing 2 is in the prepared withdrawal position by the tool 2. In fact, the previous tape clamp 1 will be held by the retractable locking system 16,

FR-90

-10 ·. ····

which is then pulled out to allow the next tape clip to descend.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of positioning the tape clamp 11 at the time of its arrival in the container 1 just prior to insertion of the pulling tool 8, the cartridge mechanism comprising a first two positioning shoes 17 disposed on opposite sides of the tab 5 of the lower tape clamp 1 for locking the tape clamp 1 in its position (solid lines in FIG. 6). At this point, the arms 10 of the tool 8 (not shown) may be inserted to cause the jaws corresponding to j) through the tabs 5 of the lowermost tape clamp 11. The tool is supported on the shoes 17 which hold the tape clamp 1 in position and is guided from the sides by two shoes 11 which will eventually serve to clamp the two ears 5 together to enlarge the tape clamp 1 (the position shown in phantom in Fig. 6). According to this method, assuming that the jaws 9 are in proper position on the tabs 5, the shoes 11 are automatically or manually actuated together in the direction of the arrows F2 of Fig. 6. In the case of automatic actuation, the shoe drive 11 can be controlled by detectors the position of the tool arms 10 or still by the pressure detectors when the same arms are in contact with the pressure surfaces of the shoes 11. As soon as the arms are mechanically approached by the shoes 11, the tape clamp 1 is in the open position and is ready to be pulled out by not only the shoes 11 but also the shoes 17 are released (by reversing the movements F1 and F2) from the housing opening 7 to remove the prestressed tape clamp without difficulty.

As will be described in the various modifications that follow, the tool 8 is designed to hold the tab 5 of the tape clamp 1 so biased throughout the transfer from cartridge 2 to the tape clamp usage location K

It will be appreciated that different arrangements may be adopted, particularly with respect to the arrangement of the container 2 of the invention. Thus, the tape staple cartridge function can be separated from

FR-90

biasing function obtained by approaching the shoes 11 by the action of mechanical means, e.g. provided with a motor. One function may be, for example, to pull the tape clamps with a tool 8, whose jaws could be adapted to simply engage the ears 5 in the rest position, the tool and the tape clamp are then capable of being transferred to another station to perform the biasing of the elastic tape clamp 1 <the rest of the procedure remains the same.

Now, with the help of FIGS. 1 to 11, a first modification of the hand tool 8 will be described, the mechanism of which allows the use of the method according to the invention.

In particular, the kinematics of this mechanism is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, showing the respective tool in solid position with solid lines and dashed lines in a clamping position, the reference numerals associated with the elements of the tool components being, for ease of reference, provided with a comma when referring to these same elements in their working position.

The tool, which allows the flexible tape clamp 1 to be pulled out and inserted from the cartridge holder housing 2, includes a head 20 from which two arms 10 carrying two jaws 9 project in a shape commonly adapted to the particular tabs of the tabs 7 available on the market, the body 21 including the arm release mechanism 10, finally the user gripping housing 22. According to a preferred arrangement of the tool 33, the head 20, the body 21 and the housing 22 are generally cylindrical in shape and are arranged around a common longitudinal axis XX '. Both arms 10 of the case and are articulated as scissors around a pin 23 fixed to the tool head 20. Both arms are extended beyond the joint 23 by the length b in accordance with a given ratio R = a / b, which depends not only on the size of the tape clamps 1 that are used, but also on the overall geometry of the tool. This ratio is readily determined by one skilled in the art during the preparation of the tool. On each of the ends of the arms 10 opposite to the jaws 9, a tie rod 24 is attached which is •

FR-90

The length here again depends on the overall geometry of the tool, which is readily determined by one skilled in the art. The free ends of the two rods are articulated by a common pin 25 attached to the head 26 connected in a manner that will be described later with the shaft 27, which can be moved along the axis XX 'in the tool J3 and which is guided by the longitudinal channel 28 formed in the center. The shaft 27 is further secured to the head 26 in the upper recess 29 of the body 21 opening into the cavity 30 in a head 20 of sufficient size to allow lateral opening of the shoulder ends of the length b of the arms 10 as they open around their joint 23. Shaft 27 is itself extended towards the housing 22 to enter the spring-loaded support 31 against a part, such as a helical spring 32, which tends to drive the shaft 21 longitudinally toward the tool head 20, thereby tending to move the jaws 9 apart as will be described later. Further, a locking system is coupled to the shaft 27 to allow its free and automatic longitudinal movement along the axis XX 'when the jaws 9 move toward each other when the pull rod compresses the resilient member 32 and, on the other hand, to prevent its backward movement if control 14 is not triggered for the purpose of automatically separating the jaw 9, in the clamp position of the clamp 1 at the lower end of the cartridge 11

Referring now to FIG. 7, the overall kinematics of the tool according to this first modification will be described: by the external action of the shoe 11 of the container 2 in the direction of the arrows F2, the arms 10 articulated at 32 simultaneously move in the direction of the arrows F3 thereby causing the movement F4 of their arms of length b, the four arm elements thus accept the position of the dashed lines in the figure and it is clear that the joint 25 of the two rods 24 moves as a result of this movement along the tool axis XX 'towards its back, towards the housing (arrow F5). This articulation of the hinge 25 causes the head 26 to extend backward and hence the shifting of the shaft 27 which compresses the spring 32 engaging the end 33 of the tool case 22. At this point, it is important to lock the arms 10 in their clamping position, allowing pulling and deployment as indicated. biasing spring clips 1. Toto ·· 9 ···

FR-90

the locking is achieved by a locking system which prevents the shaft 27 from moving backwards against the tool head 20 · ^For to achieve locking and, generally speaking, to form a shaft locking system 27, said shaft is provided with a longitudinal taper of a suitable cross section extending from the head 26 to the spring support 31, which, in conjunction with the taper wedge 35, will be a suitable taper with an axis perpendicular to the shaft axis 27, which can move downwardly (Fig. 8) in the direction of its axis by actuation 14 and up (by the reaction of the elastic element 36, in principle a screw spring), said wedge 35 being located in the sump 37 in order to be continuously frictionally engaged with the conical portion the shaft 27 so that its smaller cross-section is upward (Fig. 8), on the side opposite the spring 36 pushing the wedge 35 back up, does not form a locking brake when the shaft 27 moves into the tool back by compressing the spring 32, unequivocally during the approach of the jaws 2 ^and on the contrary, it has sufficient friction to prevent backward movement of the shaft 27 driven by the clamping force of the biased tape clamp 1. and thus the return force of the spring 32 that forces it.

According to a preferred arrangement of the locking system that has been described, the taper of the shaft 27 is due to the surface machined along one of its forming lines, at least in an effective length corresponding to its axial movement during the maximum opening of the free jaws 9, with a tilt in the radial direction forming a forwardly inclined surface 40 adapted to cooperate with a tapered wedge 35, wherein the inclination of the inclined surface 40 is calculated precisely to achieve sliding with the wedge 35 in one direction and locking in the other direction depending on the mechanical properties of the tool 2 and the tape clamps 2 · Similarly, and in accordance with a further preferred modification of the invention is a conical wedge 35 of the cylindrical wedge type with a cut surface known as a "bicycle wedge whose upper end, with the smallest cross section, opposed to a return spring 36 engaging with the inner with the tool body wall 21, it opens freely outward from the body to be pressurized

FR-90

-14 ··· »············································································································································································································ed present mounted on the flexible tube, the actuating trigger 14 preferably being capable of reducing the force for pushing said wedge 35 back.

The joint operation of the shaft 27 and the wedge 35 will now be described: when the shaft 27 is returned towards the tool housing at the moment of clamping the arms 10, ^from ° br. 7 shows that the inclined surface 20 passes from the position shown by the solid lines to the position 40 'shown by the dashed lines, thereby releasing the guide wedge 35 in the well 37 if it does not swivel, the space corresponding to the radial spacing and between the two positions which naturally wedges 35 8, by its return spring 36, and its upward travel is limited only by a sufficient slope of the cut surface. It is understood that this new position is irreversible, which means that the shaft 27 cannot advance further because it would then push down the wedge 35, but this motion is impossible because it would cause friction which is much greater than the return force. In fact, the inclines of the wedge and the inclined surface 40 of the shaft 27 are calculated accordingly. Exactly, the wedge 35 plays a wedge role to lock the forward displacement of the shaft 27. Only the downwardly directed vertical and transverse pressure on the wedge 35 in the direction opposite the arrow F6 in FIG. 8 can again release the space and thereby immediately release the shaft 27 which can thus be lifted towards the head 20 and open, by the action of the rods and shears, the arms of the jaws 9, thereby bringing the tool into a rest position ready to carry out a new withdrawal of the tape clamp from the container 2. According to a preferred embodiment, a trigger 14 fixed to the body 21 of the tool is provided in the extension of the wedge 35 providing a release lever for release control.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, several embodiments of tool 2 will now be described according to its first modification. According to a first embodiment, the tool head 20 can be completely rotatable about the longitudinal axis XX ', thus allowing the plane to be rotated comprising both arms 10 that support the jaws 9 in all directions of space.

FR-90

-15 • · · · · · · · · ·

This tool improvement is particularly advantageous to avoid any distortion of the user's hand, both at the time of pulling the tape clamps and at the time of deployment.

The rotation of the head 20 about the axis XX ', around the annular guide 41 at the end of the tool body 21, is made possible by the special mounting of the head 26, which itself is driven by the rotation of the head 20 simultaneously with the arms 10, around the head 42 of the shaft 27, which itself cannot rotating relative to the inclined surface 40, which must remain facing the inclined surface of the wedge 35. Such mounting is achieved, for example, by the cooperation of the head 42 of the shaft 27, which is widened to form a shoulder cooperating with the recess formed in the base of the head 26 surrounding just the shaft head 42 to it ensures that the two parts rotate together, but prevents any axial displacement.

According to another important embodiment of this first modification, the tool arms 10 carrying the jaws 9 may be inclined at an angle varying from 0 to 90 with respect to the plane which the arms 10 determine when straight in line with e.g. Consequently, the inclination of the arms 10 can be unambiguously influenced by the design of the tool 8, or, according to conventional construction well known to those skilled in the art, can be adjusted by the user from the vertical position of Figs. lateral clamping of the elastic band clamps. Naturally, the simple or variable inclination of the arms 10 may be coupled to the rotatable head 20 described in the previous embodiment to form a particularly versatile tool.

Depending on the secondary characteristic, it is possible to adjust the pressure on the shaft 27 by the spring 32 to release the jaws 9 to position the tool 8 in the clamping or resting position. To do this, an axial adjustment of the support 31 mounted on the end of the shaft 27 may be provided by a cap adjustable by a nut 44 engaging the shaft end 27 provided with a screw thread for this purpose.

<·· »« · «

FR-90

According to a second modification, the autonomous insertion tool 50 according to the invention, which will now be described with reference to Figures 12 to 20, uses all the steps of the insertion method for the above-described flexible tape clamps. For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals will be used for the parts and parts of the parts disclosed in the following description, which have already been used in the first embodiment.

As in the first modification, the tool 50 interacts with the cartridge 2 of the tape clamps 1 arranged in a fixed position for biasing them, to open them, by pressing their actuating parts, the tabs 5 'together by means of two pressing shoes 11 brought transversely to each other by mechanical means a device which is preferably, but not necessarily, mechanically driven, which can be operated automatically or step by step by the user himself.

An example of a container 2 provided with mechanically driven and automatically actuated pressure shoes interacting with the hand tool 50 is shown in the accompanying Figures 17 and 18. Its operation will be described later.

12 to 16, a mounting tool 50 will now be described. The insertion tool 50 comprises two identical arms 21 provided on one of their ends with jaws 52 facing each other, adapted to the ears 5 of conventional flexible tape clamps. At their second ends, the arms 51 are articulated to each other in a plane they form along an axis 53 which is perpendicular to open freely between a closed position in which the jaws 52 open the strip clamp 1 to a position extended to V in which are the same jaws for engagement with the tabs 5 of the tape clamp 11 at the bottom of the cartridge 2, or for detaching therefrom after release after deployment. As shown in FIG. 13, the hinge pin 53 of the two legs 51 is displaceably disposed along the axis of longitudinal symmetry of the arms 51 in the housing 54 externally shaped to serve as a gripping part of the tool 50 and inside so that,

FR-90

17 * e «··· • e ·

When the arms 51 are within said housing 54 and abut against the bottom of the same housing, only the jaws 52 have protruded from the opening 55 of the housing 54 at a distance shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, sufficient to hold the tabs of the tape clamp 7 in a suitable position. position. At the same time, the arms 51 are in the closed position against the inner side walls of the housing 54. Thus, the tool 50 is in an autonomous position for work consisting, as will be shown later, of pulling the strip clamp 7 out of the magazine ení, transferring it in the open position to the flexible tube to fit it on the pipe before the tape clamp is released. To this end, on the contrary, the arms 51 of the tool 50 are extended from the housing 54 until it hits the stop 56 near the housing opening 55, thereby expanding to the V position as shown in FIG. the inner side walls of the housing 54, which for this purpose has at least an extension 58 in its opening 55.

According to the main characteristic of the present modification, the articulated arms 51 each have at least one series of three facets 60, 61, 62 along the outer edge 59 that are flat and perpendicular to the plane of the legs 51 when they are open, connected to the convex profile, as shown in particular on the left arm of Figs. 12 and 13. The first pad 60 extends from the jaw 52 to the arm 51 and opens outwardly to a distance corresponding to the remaining outer portion when the arms 21 are supported in the housing 54 as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. The second face 61 is connected to the first one at an angle parallel to or slightly converging with respect to the vertical plane of symmetry V of the legs 51 in the length to be shown later. Finally, the third tab 62 is connected to the second in a slight inclination inwardly in the direction of the articulated axis 53. On the pins 64 perpendicular to the plane of the arms on opposite sides of the inner side walls of the widened portion 58 of the aperture 55 of the housing 54, shoes of maximum width and pro are mounted. interacting with second and third leg surfaces 61 and 62 to provide a first sufficient braking of the arms 51 when supported in the housing 54 and thus maximally driven by the elastic

FR-90

the force of the open tape clamp, which tends to push them back out of the housing and, on the other hand, to facilitate pulling the arms 51 out of the housing 54 while placing the tape clamp 1 on the flexible tube 12 by balancing and reducing the opening of said arms 51.

According to the second feature of the tool 50, a groove 65 is formed along the lower portion of the third tab 62 of each leg 51 to allow each of the tabs 63 to engage the corresponding leg 51 when the articulated pivot pin 53 reaches the stop 56 on the side of the opening 55 and causes a sudden increasing the opening of the arms 51. At this point, the jaws 52 are completely detached from the tabs 5 of the strip clamp 11, which is fully mounted on the flexible tube 12, which allows the tool 50 to be removed for re-use on the container 2. In addition, the engagement of the shoes 63 in the grooves 65 forms a temporary the holding position of the arms 51, which thereby have the advantage of opening stability relative to the external forces exerted on the tool, for example when fitting into the container 2 as shown below.

A modified embodiment of the tool mechanism 50 with the aid of FIG. 13 will now be described. The two arms 51 made of special steel to form the jaws 52 and the different faces 60, 61, 62 as well as the grooves 65 according to the characteristics detailed above are articulated to each other for V-opening by means of a pin 53 perpendicular to the plane of the arms and projecting on opposite sides of the plane to serve as sliding protrusions between two overlapping openings 66 extending along the tool axis of symmetry along the entire length between the lower stop 67 corresponding to the tool position when its arms are pressed together in the housing 54 and the upper stop 56 corresponding to the position of the fully open V-shaped arms as shown above. Naturally, the pivot pin 53 of the arms slides without play between the two stops 56, 57.

FR-90

Both openings 56 are formed in two metal parts 68, preferably equal to each other, of T-shape, cut out of metal sheet to form the frame of the inner mechanism of the tool 50. Between the transverse portions T, 68, two shoes 63 are mounted on the pins 64, which can freely oscillate on opposite sides of the flats 62 of the outer edge 59 of each of the arms 51, which are still held in position against said coulters 63 by a pair of coil springs 57 mounted in recesses formed for this purpose just above the hinge pin 53. held one above the other by the two hinge pins 64 of the shoes 63 serving as partitions in the upper part T and the bar 69 of the same type located at the lower end of the parts 68.

With this extremely simple mechanism, it is possible to easily obtain both functional positions of the arms 51, both open to V as shown in Fig. 13, or clamped by pressing on the arms 51 to move the hinge pin 53 towards the lower stop 67, resulting in both arms gripping 51 together about the shoes 63 which contribute to their holding in the closed position as already shown. Finally, there are two shells 70, preferably the same and of plastics material, for fastening to both T-shaped parts 68 by means of screws 71 in the threaded holes 72 formed in said parts 68.

With the aid of FIGS. 17 to 20, the particular operation of the tool according to the second embodiment will now be explained, in conjunction with the container 2, for clamping the flexible tube 12 on the pipe 13.

Referring to FIG. 17, the arms 51 of the tool 50 are in the open position, in a position for pulling the tape clamps at the base 80 of the container 2. The tool 50 enters the container around the tabs 5 of the tape clamp 1 at the lower end of the inner by a transverse movement P (FIG. 18). the housing so that the jaws 52 of the tool come into contact with the two thrust pads 11 automatically actuated by the two jacks 81 positioned opposite each other and

FR-90

preferably actuated when the tool 50 is correctly positioned. It will be appreciated that the reservoir 2 may comprise different means than those shown in Figures 17 and 18. In particular, the jacks 81 actuating the shoe 11 may be replaced by a manual mechanism that multiplies the action of the user's foot or hand in an environment in which source of eg compressed air. Similarly, there is provided a supply of tape staples that are stacked in column 2 of cartridge 2, but this device may be interchanged by a simpler arrangement in which the tape clips 2 are used one after the other, directly in the inner housing of the cartridge 2 in the correct gripping position. the jaws 52 of the tool 50 as shown above.

Once the shoes 11 have been actuated in the direction of the arrows F2 of FIG. 17, the tool 50, whose arms 51 have been clamped together in the direction of the arrows F3 of FIG. 17, is in the position of FIG. 18, then it is sufficient for the user to push in. of the cartridge 2 (in the direction of arrow P, Fig. 18) of the tool handle 50 so that the arms 52 enter the interior of the bottom of the housing 54 as explained above. Obviously, the guide and brake shoes 63 of the legs 52 are naturally ineffective at this point, since both arms have been clamped together and are out of engagement with the groove 65. Thus, when the tool handle 50 has been fully pushed against the base 80 (FIG. ), these means actuate the container 2 and in particular the jacks are then released and the shoes 11 are pulled away from the jaws 52, which remain in the clamped position, in a position for opening the tape clamp 2, since at this point the arms 51 in the housing 54 are again in direct contact with the shoes 63 which, due to the convexity of the arms, are placed directly in contact with the flat 61 which creates sufficient braking against the force generated by the compression of the strip clamp, which tends to push the arms back out of the tool 50. The tool 50 is thus in the position shown on 15 and 16. In fact, the reciprocating movement F2 (FIG. 8) of the jacks 81 to open the shoes 11 on both sides of the jaws 52 is preferably controlled by the position of the detectors such that the tool 50 and more precisely its housing 54 is positioned in the correct position on

FR-90

Furthermore, it should be noted that, as in the previous modification, in the case of breakage of the tape clamp at the time of its compression, there is no danger to the user since ejection of the tape clamps or parts thereof occurs within the container 2.

In fact, when the shoes 11 are opened, it is sufficient to pull the tool assembly and the tape clamp in the direction of the arrow T (FIG. 18), which can then be transferred from the cartridge 2 to the insertion position, since the assembly is completely autonomous. Referring to FIG. 19, the tool assembly and the tape clamp are mounted around the flexible tube 12, which is pre-threaded onto the pipe 13, and, as can be seen, it is easy to place the tape clamp 1 in place provided by the manufacturer, given the small size of the tool 50. When the tape clamp 1 is well seated, then the handle 54 of the tool 50 engaging with the strip clamp 1, which is necessarily against the flexible tube 12 and which can no longer move sideways during the release operation, is sufficient to slide out the handle 54 of the tool 50; , which is an improvement over the previous instrument. In addition, the extension of the handle 54 occurs very slowly due to the arrangement of the shoes 63 which slide along the legs 51 from the brake pad 61 in the clamped position to the end of the inclined tab 62 providing the extension sequence. Here again, when the shoes describing the inclined surface 62 reach the level of the groove 65, a sudden opening of the arms 51 finally leaving the tabs 51 of the tape clamp 11 occurs, which remains in the correct position on the pipe.

It will be appreciated that the arms 51, which are in principle straight, may have curves in particular cases to facilitate the attachment of the tape clamps L. Therefore, there is no reason why the end portions of the arms 51 cannot be inclined between 0 to 90 relative to the plane defined by the arms 51 when they are straight, and the operation of tool 50 would not be affected.

FR-90

21 to 40 will now describe a third embodiment of a withdrawal and insertion tool 100 using a set of steps supported by the method of inserting the elastic tape clamps of the present invention. For a proper understanding, the parts and parts of the parts disclosed in the following description, which have been found in the previous embodiments, will be designated by the same reference numerals.

As before, the tool 100 interacts with a reservoir 2 of resilient tape clamps 11 disposed in a stationary station for pre-pressing the tape clamps 11 prior to opening them by pressing their actuation portions called tabs 15 together with the two pressure shoes 11 brought into transverse motion to each other. by a mechanical means, preferably not necessarily, provided with a motor which can be operated automatically or step by step by the user.

Referring to FIG. 21, the tool 100 also includes two arms 101 and 102 provided at one of their ends with a so-called arm head with jaws 103 including means to be described later to accommodate the tabs of the flexible tape clamp 11. At their other end, the arms 101 and 102 are articulated to each other in a plane formed by a pin 53 that is perpendicular thereto so that they can freely open by applying the force of the strip clamp 1 from a proximal position in which the jaws 103 maintain the compression of the tape clamp. to a V-shaped position allowing both the jaws to be attached to the tabs 5 of the tape clamp 11 and detaching them according to whether the tape clamp 1 is respectively in a position in the fixed container 2 or released on its flexible tube 12. means to be described in greater detail later, when the legs 101 and 102 are inserted by sliding their articulated ends along their longitudinal axis inwardly and at the stop 105 at the bottom of the housing 104, only the jaws 103 protrude from the opening of the housing, with these means interact to be held as shown in Figs. 22 and 23, vb lean and stabilized

FR-90

Using the braking means to be described later and vice versa, when said arms are successively extended out by a controlled action of the tape clamp force on the stopper 103 near the opening of the housing 104, they open into a V-shape due to the resilient member 57 pushing them apart.

According to the characteristic of this modification of the tool, the longitudinal sliding means for both arms 101 and 102 within the housing 104 are secured on one side by sliding the articulated pin 53 between two opposing grooves 107, for example, recessed into the inner wall of the housing 104, and it is preferable to provide the ball joint ends 53 with ball pins bearings 108 providing better interaction with the guide grooves 107. On the other hand, the legs 101 and 102 are guided, as they slide, through two abutments that are positioned across the opening of the housing 104 on opposite sides of the legs 101, 102 whose respective outer edges 101 and 110 are machined, to form a smooth path for one arm 102 and a path that is at least partially notched for the other arm 101 for free guiding and sliding along the arm 102 and free guiding and braking along the arm 101 under the force of the compressed strip clamp biasing the actuating control mechanism (the preferred embodiment of which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30) by means of which the two arms 101 and 102 exiting their innermost position on the stop 105 at the rear end of the grooves 107 in which the strip clamp 11 is fully compressed gradually open out until the pivot pin 53 reaches the stop 106, at the other end of the grooves 107 next to the aperture and located at a suitable distance in front of the transverse supports limiting the opening angle of the arms V to a value sufficient to allow loosening of tabs 5 of the clip 1, when mounted on a flexible tube.

As in the previous embodiments, the arms 101 and 102 of the tool 100 are machined from flat steel to the conventional shape shown in the figures. Obviously, sizes, lengths, widths and thicknesses will be readily calculated by one skilled in the art for " · · · 9 · 9 9 4

9 9 9 9 9 9

9 9 9 9 9 9 9

FR-90

-24 ensure the mechanical strength of the fitting tool given by the range of tape clamps to be used by the tool. Thus, the outer edges 109 and 110 of the arms will in principle coincide with the thickness of each arm.

Referring now to FIGS. 22, 23, 27 to 31, transverse abutments cooperating with said outer edges are formed, for arm 102 whose outer edge 110 is smooth, with a smooth roller 111 freely rotatable about pin 112 perpendicular to the plane of the arms and attached to the body of the tool, providing arm 102 with free guidance during its movement. With respect to the second arm 101, referred to as the notched shoulder and according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the transverse support cooperating with the outer edge 109, which is at least partially notched, is formed by a rigid shoe 113 fixed to the tool body at substantially the same level as the smooth roller 111 forming the second transverse support and coming into contact with the notched track 109 to provide a brake to the natural inclination of the arms to open out when subjected to loads from the pre-compressed tape clamp as shown, for example, at the intermediate position in FIG. The shoe 113 is formed of a resilient material, e.g., an elastomer mounted with a slight backward bias on the pin 114 perpendicular to the plane of the arms to resiliently engage the notched portion of the leg 101 by the adjusting wedge 115.

According to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the transverse abutment co-operating with the notched edge 109 of the corresponding leg 101 is, with reference to Figs. 23 to 31, formed by a gear 116 disposed above the notched leg 101 lying flush with the axis O perpendicular to the direction of movement A (FIG. 26) of said arm. The gear 116 comprises a toothed ring 117 which has regularly alternating teeth 117a separated by gaps 117b. The spacing of the teeth 117a of the ring gear 117 is the same as the pitch of the teeth 101b of the notched arm 101, and the teeth 117a of the ring gear 117 engage in the lower portion of said ring 117 with teeth 101a of the notched arm 101 as shown on

FR-90

25 and 26. The ring gear 117 has a concentric aperture 118 through which a fixed support shaft 119 passes with the axis O1 parallel to the axis 0. The support shaft 119 has a fixed diameter smaller than the diameter of the aperture 118 of the gear 116, so that there is a radial clearance between the internal the surface of the aperture 118 and the outer surface of the shaft 119, this clearance, which may theoretically be left loose, is presently filled with a resilient material element, preferably an elastomer, as will be discussed later. For this reason, the toothed ring 117 can move a short distance (0, 0i) transverse to the central fixed support shaft 119.

The operation of the means for locking and unlocking the tool arms provided with the gear 116 as shown in Figs. 25 and 26 will now be described. In Fig. 25, the device is in a locking position in which the gear ring 117 is eccentric with respect to the fixed support shaft 119. in this case, the notched shoulder 101 is subjected to an upward force F, toward the axis 0 _x of the support shaft 119 resulting from the tension of the pre-compressed tape clamp 11 so that the notched arm 101 is moved to the upper position and exerts pressure on the ring gear 117. As a result of this pressure, the ring gear 117 is pushed upward and the inner surface of its opening 118 is pressed against the lower forming line of the rigid support shaft 119 to which it is tangent. In this position, the gear axis 0 of the gear 116 is located at a distance above the axis O 1 of the shaft 119, due to the motion of the notched leg 101 and the gear ring 117 upward until the crown 117 rests on the shaft 119. The top of the tooth 101a of the notched leg 101 that engages Thus, in the lower slot 117b of the ring gear 117, there is located inside the pitch circle P of the teeth 117a, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 25 and 26, so that the lowest teeth 117a of the ring gear 117 are blocked in two adjacent gaps 101b of the notched arm 101. As a result, the notched arm 101 and the gear 116 are interlocked, with the result that the notched arm

101 is immobilized.

FR-90

On the other hand, when the force F no longer acts on the notched arm 101, when the pivoting mechanism, which will be described later and which is schematically shown in Figures 29 and 30, is actuated, the arm 101 thus returns to the bottom the position shown by the arrow H (FIG. 26) in which the tops of its teeth 101a are located outside the pitch circle P so that the teeth 117a of the gear ring 117 are no longer blocked in the notches 101b of the notched arm 101. Thus, the gear 116 can rotate freely in both directions the arrows B (FIG. 26) circulating around the fixed shaft 119 in a substantially centered position, and the toothed arm 101 can thus move freely in the direction of the arrow A (FIG. 6).

According to a particular feature of this modified embodiment, it is clear that the radial clearance between the rim 118 of the rim 117 and the shaft 119 is preferably filled with a resilient ring 121 (Fig. 31), for example an elastomer which is sufficiently compressible to allow the necessary transverse offset of the gear 116 relative to the shaft 119.

When the notched arm 101 is pressed against the gear 116 by applying a force F (FIG. 25), the compression of the resilient ring 121 occurs and the locked state returns. Conversely, when the pressure of arm 101 is weakened or zero, gearwheel 116 immediately returns to the axis itself, thereby avoiding "dragging effect of the free pinion (gear ring 117) at the moment of engagement or loosening of teeth (vibration, noise, etc.) more precise operation when the device is used in a very repeated or sequential manner, (locking or unlocking corresponding to each shift of the teeth of the gear 117).

According to the secondary characteristic of the invention, the gear ring 117 of the gear 116 is connected to two bored side flanges 122 forming together a recess adapted to receive the resilient ring 121 mounted through the flange aperture

122, on a support shaft 119 secured to the housing 104, with a diameter

•. ·· ··

FR-90

The opening of the flanges 122 is calculated so as to at least offset enough to provide a locking effect and to limit the compression of the ring 121 and thus prevent its damage during heavy loads resulting from the use of large tape clamps 1.

With the help of FIGS. 29 to 31, a pivoting mechanism usable in one or the other arrangement of the previously described transverse supports will now be described, with either the shoe 113 (FIG. 22) or the gear 116 (FIG. 23). To this end, the trigger 123 is articulated directly or indirectly to the housing 104 around the pin

124 with the axis parallel to the axis of the transverse supports 113, 116, and thus perpendicular to the plane of the arms 101, 102, as shown in Fig. 29, drives the roller 125 mounted on the shaft 126 with an axis parallel to the pin axis 124 disposed between the pin 124 and the actuator The trigger 123a of the trigger 123. According to this arrangement (FIG. 29), the roller

125 rests only on the notched region 109 of the corresponding leg 101. Thus, when the trigger 123 is not actuated by depressing the handle 123a, the roller 125 has no effect on the leg 101 that remains braked against the transverse supports 113, 116 due to the force F resulting from the load from the pre-pressed tape clamp

Referring to FIG. 30, when the user depresses the trigger handle 123 (arrow G), the roller 125 moves in the same manner by rotating about the trigger pin 124, thereby pushing the notched shoulder 101 back toward the second leg 102 such that the notched area 109 of the leg 101 will be skewed from the shoe 113 in the first embodiment or from the teeth 117 of the gear 116 in the second embodiment. It is thus evident that the arm 101 can freely slide forward under the force of a load of pre-compressed tape clamp, which is prone to strain. Once the trigger 123 is released, the locking position against the shoe 113 or gear 116 and so forth is restored each time for stepwise and sequential control of the opening of the arms 101, 102, and this is the operation of releasing the strip clamp 1 positioned around the flexible tube 12.

9999

9 9 99 9 9 9 9 99

9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9999 99 999 99 99 999

FR-90-28 According to the secondary characteristic of the third modification of the insertion tool, the outer edge 109 of the notched arm 101 extends over its entire effective sliding length, the length of the edge adapted to come into contact with the transverse support 113 or 116, the notched region 109a and at least one parallel lateral side. a smooth area, preferably two smooth areas 109b, 109c on opposite sides of the notched area, with which at least one portion of the smooth rolling strip 127 (FIG. 31) of the actuating roller 125 engages, so that it can freely roll over a smooth area or regions 109b, 109c, applying a force R (FIG. 30) pushing back the arm 101 towards the arm 102, thereby releasing the opening of these arms.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the roller 125 is provided on a portion of its circumferential strip with a ring 128 of resilient material, such as an elastomer, with an outside diameter greater than the roller rolling band 127, thereby providing a shock-absorbing effect in the first actuation phase when the trigger 123 is brought into by providing a resilient bearing for said ring 128 on the notched region 109a of the corresponding leg 101, allowing its more gradual and flexible transition from the braked position (Fig. 29) to the free opening position (Fig. 30).

According to an even more preferred embodiment, the roller 125 is formed by two metal flanges 129 disposed on opposite sides of the elastomer ring 128 mounted on the same shaft 126, of larger diameter and thickness equal to the width of the notched region 109a extending over the central region of the outer edge 109 of the notched arm 101 seated to the right and to the left between two smooth rolling stripes 109b, 109c, which are coincident with the smooth rolling strip 127 of each flange 129 of the force transfer roller 125 (FIG. 30) on the arm 101.

According to a further secondary characteristic of this modification, the height of the teeth 101a of the notched region 109a of the outer flange 109 of the corresponding leg 101 increases from the head of this leg

9999

9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9999 99 999 99 99 999

FR-90 -29101 to its end near the hinge 53 without simultaneously changing the overall shape of the teeth in order not to alter its ratio with the teeth 117 of the gear 116 in particular. tilt from head to end near joint. In this way, the engagement of the teeth, in particular the shock of the damping ring 129 of the swinging roller 125, will continue to increase as the arms widen. In this case, the pullout speed of the arms is greater and that is why a sequential shock absorber was sought.

In addition to the gradual inclination of the smooth rolling regions 109b and 109c of the outer rear edge 109, two flanges 129 have been fitted to trim the elastomer ring 128 to form the roller assembly 125 on the shaft 126 whose area aligned with the ring 128 is eccentric as shown in Fig. 33. Bearings 131 are provided on the shaft 126 on both opposite sides of the eccentric bearing 130 for receiving both flanges 129 which are identical and coaxial to the shaft axis 126. With respect to the extent to which the flanges 129 and elastomer ring 120 can freely rotate on the shaft 126, it is understood that with the rotation of the shaft 126 about its axis, the flanges 129 are not subjected to any radial movement while the ring 128 is moved radially in the plane of the arms depending on the eccentricity of the bearing 130. and 33) inserted in the recess 133 in the housing 104 (FIGS. 21 and 31) is provided to displace the shock absorber ring 128 relative to the rollers 127 of the roller that has not moved, increasing the height of the resilient mass adapted to interact with the teeth 101a of the notched area 109 of the arm 101. in Fig. 32, a roller 125 mounted at the end of the trigger 123 has an eccentric middle region corresponding to the ring 128 between two coaxial regions corresponding to two flanges 129 engaging the smooth regions 109b and 109c of the arm 101. It is understood that to vary the height of the flexible web 125 it is sufficient to rotate the part ·· · ··· · ··· · · · ··· ······················ · »·

FR-90-30132, which, as shown in FIG. 32, is a single square housed in a uniform recess 133 formed for this purpose in the corresponding housing portion 104. According to a particular embodiment, the trigger 123 carrying the shaft 126 and the roller 125 is mounted on its pin 124 by means of two hooks 134 which are open upwards and are closed from below about said pin 124 so that the trigger 123 will be held at its end by two hooks 134 and supported by a roller 125 at the edge 109 of the notched arm 101 by inserting the eccentric shaft adjusting member 132 into the recess 133 of the housing 104. Changing the eccentricity of the shaft 126 is very easy and is accomplished by extending the hooks 134 from the pin 124 and pulling the trigger 123 outward to remove the portion 132 from its recess 133 and rotate it. In addition, adjustment marks may be provided on the part 132 by means of markers 135 that remain visible when the trigger 123 is mounted.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, according to Figs. 34, 35, 36, each head of the arms 101 and 102 comprises a rotary jaw

103, which can be oriented in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the arms about the axis zz 'passing through both heads in the center plane of the arms, allowing the tape clamps to be mounted in any position or almost in any position of the tool 100 depending on the size of the mounting area. Thus, by combining the possibility of turning the tool around the tape clamp with a possible tilt enabled by the rotation of the jaws 103, as noted, the tool 100 may be directed in all spatial directions for the same end position of the tape clamp 1.

According to a first particular characteristic of the jaws, the jaw 103 of one of the legs 101 includes a projection 137 that appears in the tool images in section, and in particular, in Figures 27 and 28, extending perpendicularly to the jaw of the second leg 102, which is provided with a corresponding recess 138, that the projection 132 engages precisely in the recess 138 when the two jaws 103 are joined, as shown, for example, in Figs. 22 and 23. 9 9999 · 9 9 9 9 9 9 • · 9

9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9999 99 999 99 99 999

FR-90-31100 are arms 100 and 102 coupled, and the tape clamp X can be tilted by an inclination that can vary substantially more or less than 90 to opposite sides of the tool center plane to find the best position for clamping the clamp. This time, it is evident that the rotation of the pre-pressed tape clamp between the jaws of the insertion tool will be safer: by cooperating the projection 137 with the recess 138 maintaining the two jaws 103 secured together during rotation, the tape clamp 7 may no longer be released from the jaws by undesirably twisting said sleeve.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic associated with the jaws 103, the jaws 103 are provided with an automatic return mechanism shown in Figs. 34 and 35 to a rest position corresponding to a balanced clamping of the tape clamps when the arms are unloaded. This reciprocating mechanism of the jaws 103 from their centered axis xx ' to the left or right of the central longitudinal axis of the yy ' s of at most 90 to a rest position in which the xx ' axis coincides with the yy ' preferably cylindrical and is held in a rest position along the yy 'axis of the heads, fixed on one side and slidable on the other inside the head 141 secured to the head and passing through the jaw shaft 142 when it is in the rest position when the xx' axis coincides yy 'head axis. This mounting of the shaft 140 through the jaw shaft 142 preferably allows not only to hold said jaw on the head of the head, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 36, but also the angular elastic return force from the transverse twisting of the elastomer shaft 140 to the left or right deformed by rotation of the shaft 142 as 35. The recess 143 in the head head 141 surrounding the rotatable shaft 142 is intended to damp the deformation of the elastomer shaft 140 while twisting it.

In addition, the assembly of the jaws 103 with automatic jerk head return is extremely simple: the jaw shaft 142 is centered in the head 141 and aligned with the head so that the flexible shaft 142 can be introduced into the opening extending axially from the head. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · <· ·· »·· ·· ·· ···

FR-90 -32 the distal end of the head into the arm and in such a way that the shaft 140 extends through the radial tunnel across the shaft 142 so as to ultimately be blocked by a single ball 144 positioned prior to mounting in the head 141. The head is provided with a plate 145 for locking the shaft 140 against the ball 144 as well as simple mounting with screw 146 (Fig. 36).

According to the preferred construction of the tool 100 of Fig. 21, the housing 104 is formed by two shells 104a which are preferably the same of plastic material, externally shaped to serve as a gripping part of the tool 100. The two shells 104a are fastened to each other by a screw 147, 148 and 149 as well as the pivot 124 preferably used to rotate the trigger 123 so as to be able to close both arms 101 and 102 on one side by positioning on opposite sides of the plane formed by the two arms, a longitudinal groove 107 being formed on the inner surface of each shell. the ends of the arm hinge 53 preferably provided with ball bearings 108 for detecting their sliding between the front end 106 and the rear end 105 of said grooves 107 serving as stops, and on the other hand, closing the metal cage 150 comprising two flanges 150a and 150b preferably the same and mounted inverted to each other m at a uniform distance by means of intermediate crossbars 151 clamped between the screws 147, 148 and 149. This cage 150 thus delimits the opening of the housing 104 through which the two arms extend and carries all fixed or rotatable supports 111, 113, 116 against which the outer edges 110 abut , 109 arms, as well as elements forming a pivot mechanism.

Finally, and according to another secondary characteristic, the modification facilitates the sliding of the arms 101 and 102 in the transverse direction with respect to the plane formed in all situations in which the arms are subjected to a lateral force from left or right to reduce friction at the housing opening 104 and in particular against flanges 150a, wherein the flanges 150a are provided with a recess to be able to receive a guide portion 152 that engages the side surfaces of the legs 101 and 102. The guide portion as shown in FIG.

4 « 9 4 « ·· 4 4 · 4 »· · • 4 • • 4 • « • 4 • • • 4 • • • 4 · • 4 • 4 · 4 4444 9 · »44 4 · * 4 * • 4

FR-90 -33 "may be formed by a plate 152 made of a material with a low friction coefficient, for example silicone, interposed between two side flanges 150a of the cage 150, slightly protruding in the direction of the side surfaces of the legs 101 and 102.

According to a further embodiment, the guide part may be formed by one or more parallel axis rollers (not shown in the figures) fixed in the thickness of the side flanges of the metal cage 150 for engagement with the side surfaces of the arms according to the forming line perpendicular to the sliding direction thereof.

The tool 100, as described in these various configurations, can be used according to FIGS. 17 to 20, which illustrate in detail the main operation of the insertion tool 50 corresponding to the previous embodiment in conjunction with the reservoir 2 for clamping the flexible pipe 12 on the pipe 13 by means of a tape clamp 1 .

However, the improved tool 100 permits an improved overall control of the release of the tape clamp 1, even in a very crowded environment.

&

WZOO4-322 / · clamps (1) with tabs for mounting the pegs

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

Method for attaching a flexible band (5), in particular adapted for repeated pipes (12) to a pipe (13), characterized in that from a magazine (2) of band clamps (1) associated with an autonomous hand tool (8) which is provided with two jaws (9) for clamping the tabs (5) of the band clamp together to open it, the following steps are performed in succession:

a) placing the jaws (9) of the tool on the ears (5) of the first tape clip (1) exposed by the cartridge (2),

b) pre-locking the jaws (9) of the tool against the ears (5) of said band clamp (1) to bring it to the open position by means of mechanized control means (11),

c) automatic gripping of the jaws - in the pre-locked position by means of internal means (27, 35) of the tool (8),

d) withdrawing said first tape clip, held in the open position by the hand tool (8), from the cartridge (2) and automatically positioning the second tape clip (1) to the next withdrawal position;

e) fitting an open band clamp (1) around the flexible tube (12),

f) releasing the jaw lock (9) of the tool (8), provided with control means (14) for this purpose, for closing the band clamp (1) on the flexible tube (12) and clamping it on the pipe (13) and finally releasing the tool ( 8) for a new operation.

Method according to claim 1, the mechanized actuating means on opposite sides of the pull tabs such that its opening during pre-locking is characterized by (11) the (5) tape clips (1) being thereby positioned from on to within the cartridge (2); thus providing a protective envelope in case

FR-90

-35 During a sudden ejection or break operation of the clamp and pull-out tape clamp (1).

Device for attaching a flexible band clamp (1) to the tabs (5) particularly adapted, for example, for reassembly of the flexible pipe (12) to a pipe (13) using a method according to one or the other of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that comprises an automatic magazine (2) for tape clips (1) arranged to locate each tape clip (1) so that its two tabs (5) are accessible from the outside for clamping by the jaws (9, 52, 103) of the hand pull-on tool 8, 50, 100), whose access for squeezing the tabs (5) of the tape clamp (1) is achieved by external control means (11) which are separately operated, the tool (8, 50, 100) comprising means allowing free and irreversible approach the jaws (9, 52, 103) to each other when the external control means (11) are actuated and the means for releasing them directly or sequentially in at the desired time, depending on the circumstances, by external control (14, 123).

Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cartridge (2) comprises at least one column (3) for stacking a row of resilient tape clips (1) of selected size at the edges, an opening at its lower end (6) in the housing (7) , of a height slightly greater than the width of the strap clamp (1), the column (3) having a side cutout (4) adapted to guide and release the control tabs (5) of the strap clamps (11) when dropped in the column (3) ) towards the housing (7) in a position to facilitate insertion between the jaws (9, 52, 103) of the tool (8, 50, 100).

Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing (7) of the cartridge (2) is provided, on opposite sides of the tabs (5) of the strap clamp (1) to be pulled out, with two movable push shoes (11) which are movable. to each other and back by conventional mechanical drive means, which are preferably provided with a motor, to compress the jaws (9, 52, 103) of the tool (8, 50, 100) once placed around the tabs (5), automatically or by user control .

Device according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the profile and material of the housing (7) of the cartridge (2) are selected to resist possible ejection of the tape clip at the time of opening or to resist flying pieces in the event of breakage of the tape clip. .

Device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the hand-pulling and putting-on tool (8) comprises two jaws (9) facing each other, shaped to receive the tabs (5) of the flexible band clip (1), located at one end of two arms (10) of length (a) articulated as scissors about an axis (23) attached to the head (20) of the tool (8), the opposite end of each arm being spaced apart (b) to the other side of the articulated pin (23) with a ratio R = a / b, depending on the size of the band clamps and the overall tool geometry, and is articulated to the end of one of the two rods whose opposite ends are articulated by a common pin (25) 26), which causes a direct movement of the inner shaft (27) along the longitudinal axis (XX ') of the tool, the shaft (27) being connected to it on one side and passing on the other side into a spring arm (31) on the part (32)having a tendency to push it against the tool head (8) along the longitudinal axis (XX ') of the tool and thus move the jaws away by moving the rods and arms joints, the locking system being additionally coupled to the shaft (27) to allow its free and automatic direct movement when the jaws approach each other, when the shaft compresses the resilient member (32) and to prevent it from moving back until the control (14) provided for this purpose to automatically move the jaws (9) is started.

Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the reversible controlled shaft blocking system (2.7) is achieved by co-operation between the shaft, which is provided along its axis with a conicity of a suitable cross-section increasing from head (26) to a sprung abutment (31), and a tapered wedge (35) of suitable conicity with an axis perpendicular to the shaft axis (27) and capable of axial downward movement by actuation (14) and upward reaction of the resilient member (36) located in the sump (37), for continuous frictional engagement with the tapered portion of the shaft (27) so that its smallest cross-section is upwardly on the side opposite to the elastic wedge pressing portion, and does not form a locking brake when the shaft (27) moves towards its flexible part (32), while approaching the jaws (9) and vice versa, generating friction sufficient to prevent the return movement of the shaft (27) pushed as rnou force clamp strip (1) and the restoring force of the resilient member (32) that compresses.

Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the conicity of the shaft (27) is the result of a surface (40) machined along one of its generating lines at least along its effective length corresponding to its axial movement during maximum spacing of the free jaws (9) in a radial direction providing an inclined surface adapted to interact with the tapered wedge (35), the inclination of the inclined surface being just sufficient to achieve relative sliding with the wedge (35) in one direction and locking in the other direction, depending on the mechanical properties of the tool (8) and its Tape Clamps (1) ·

Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the wedge (35) is a cylindrical wedge with cut surfaces called "bicycle wedges", whose upper end with the smallest cross section opposite the return spring (36) engaging the inner wall of the tool body (21) , opens freely to the exterior of the body to be accessible to the user ' s downward pressure when the user wants to release the tool (8) from the mounted strap clamp (1), the actuating trigger (14) preferably capable of reducing the force to retract said wedge (35) .

• · ·

9

9 · 9 9 9 9

9 98 9 9

FR-90 -3811. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the head (20) of the pulling tool (8) comprises means for completely rotating independently about the longitudinal axis (xx ') of the tool allowing rotation of a plane comprising both arms (10) carrying jaws. (9), in space.

Device according to claims 7 and 11, characterized in that the head (26) for the articulated connection of the rods (24) is slidably coupled to the end of the shaft (27) by a known connection ensuring free rotation between the head and said shaft in a plane perpendicular to the shaft axis (27).

Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the arms (10) supporting the jaws (9) can be inclined or inclined from zero to 90 with respect to the plane they determine when straight.

Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the pressure on the shaft (27) for releasing the jaws (9) is adjustable by axial movement of the support. (31) mounted at the end of the shaft - (27) coming into contact with the resilient member, which may be a helical spring (32) resting on one end on the inner end of the handle (22) and on the other side against the cup (43) a nut (44) in contact with a shaft end (27) provided with a screw thread for this purpose.

Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the pull-out tool (50, 100) comprises two arms (51, 101-102) provided with jaws (52, 53) and a joint at one of their ends. (53) on the other for free opening due to the load from the strap clamp (1), from a closed position in which the jaws (52, 103) maintain compression of the strap clamp (1) to the open V-shaped position allowing the jaws to engage with the tabs (5) of the tape clamp (1) when the tape clamp (1) is respectively exposed to the fixed container (2) or has been disengaged from the release engagement after being fitted onto the flexible tube (12), in cooperation with means 444

4 4 *

4 ·

4 4 4

4444 44

FR-90 -39, so that when the arms are slidably mounted with their hinged ends along their longitudinal axes inwards and to the stop (67, 105) at the bottom of the housing (54, 104), only the jaws (52, 103) protrude from the opening of said housing, with which the arms cooperate to maintain in the closed position and, on the other hand, to stabilize by the braking means, when said arms are gradually extended under controlled load from the strap clamp (1) to the stop (56,106) near the opening of the housing; the push-piece (57) is spaced apart.

Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the articulated arms (51) of the setting tool (50) each have at least one series of three flats (60, 61, 62) perpendicular to the plane of the arms (51) along their outer edge (59). 51) connected to a convex contour, wherein the first face (60) extends from the jaw attachment (52) and opens outwardly to a distance corresponding to the protruding portion when the arms (51) are at the stop (67) in the housing (54), the second face (61) is connected to the first at an angle bringing it to a position parallel to or slightly converging with respect to the V-symmetry plane of the legs (51) in length (a) and a third face (62) connected to the second and inclined inwardly a hinge pin (53), wherein coulters (63) of maximum width are mounted on the pins (64) on opposite sides of the inner side walls of the widened portion (58) of the opening (55) of the housing (54) to interact with the other t third shoulder pads (61, 62) to provide sufficient braking of the arms (51) when they are at the stop (57) within the housing (54) and pushed by a load from the tape clip which tends to push them back outwards and to facilitate pulling the arms (51) out of the housing (54) at the time of putting the band clamp (1) onto the flexible tube (12) by balancing and relieving the opening process.

Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the lower portion of the third face (62) of each tool arm (51) is provided with a groove (65) allowing each shoe (63) to: ··································

FR-90 -40 locked into the arm (51) at the time of matching the articulated pin (53) of the open arms to the stop (56) on the side of the opening (55), creating a sudden expansion of the opening allowing the jaws (52) to detach ) which has been released to create a temporary ready position of the arms (51).

Device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the outer part of the arms (51) supporting the jaws (51) can be inclined or can be tilted from zero to 90 with respect to the plane defined by the arms (51), when they are direct.

Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the longitudinal slide means for the two arms (101) and (102) of the insertion tool (100), inside the housing (104), are formed on one side of the hinge pin (53) between the two. opposing grooves (107), for example recessed into the inner wall of the housing (104), ball bearings (108), preferably located at the ends of said pin on opposite sides of the arms (101, 102) for better interaction with said grooves (107) and a side with two abutments, which are fixed (113) or pivotable (111, 116), located across the opening of the housing on opposite sides of the arms (101, 102), the outer edges (109, 110) of which form a smooth track for one arm (102); for the second leg (101), a track that is at least partially notched, providing a free and sliding guide along the leg (102) and free ab under a load from the compressed tape clip (1) the braking guide along the arm (101) by biasing the control mechanism so that the assembly of both arms, starting from their internal position at the rear stop (105) at one end of the grooves (107) in which the band clamp (1) is fully compressed, gradually opens out gradual and controlled action on said control mechanism until the articulated pin (53) reaches its front stop (106) at the other end of the grooves (107), on the side of the aperture located at an appropriate distance in front of the transverse supports (111, 113, 116)) to limit the opening angle

FR-90 arms to a value sufficient to allow the tabs (5) of the tape clip (1) to leave when released.

An apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the control mechanism of the tool (100) comprises a transverse fixed support (113) or a rotatable support (116) coming permanently or temporarily or sequentially into engagement with the outer edge (109) which is at least partially notched, one arm (101), called a notched arm, to form a friction area preventing the arms (101, 102) from opening under the load from the band clip (1), the roller (125) rotating freely about the shaft (126) to the shoulder plane, it may come from the outside to contact with the rim (109) of the notched arm (101), for example by a conventional pivot mechanism around a pin (124) whose access is parallel to that of a roller (125) attached to the housing (104) and operated by an outer a trigger (123) to allow said arm to be pushed away or prevent contact between the teeth (101a) of the arm (101) and the corresponding transverse support (113, 11) 6), thus allowing the arms to be opened again.

Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the outer edge (109) of the notched arm (101) comprises, over its entire length usable for sliding in contact with the transverse support (113, 116), a notched area (109a) and at least one parallel. a smooth region (109b, 109c) with which at least one smooth rolling strip (127) of the control roller (125) engages, which can thus freely roll when engaged with the arm (101).

Apparatus according to any one of claims 21 or 22, characterized in that the roller (125) is provided on a portion of its peripheral strip (127) with a ring of a flexible and resilient material, for example an elastomer, having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the rolling strip. 127) a roll providing a shock-absorbing effect in the first phase of the elastic engagement with the notched region (109a) of the corresponding arm, causing its

FR-90 -42 The transition from the braked position to the open position is gradual and more flexible.

Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the roller (125) is formed by two identical metal flanges (129) located on opposite sides of an elastomeric ring (128) mounted on the same shaft (126) of larger diameter and thickness equal to the width of the notched area (109a) extending in the central region of the outer edge (109) of the notched arm (101), closed from right and left by two smooth rolling strips (109b, 109c) aligned with smooth rolling strips (127) of roller flanges (129) 125).

Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two flanges (129) and the elastomeric ring (128) clamping therebetween freely rotate on a shaft (126) whose bearing (130) aligned with the ring (128) is eccentric, the conventional angular adjustment mechanism of said shaft permitting variations in the effective height of the spring mass coming into contact with the notched area (109a) of the corresponding arm (101) and the flange rotating on the non-eccentric bearings of the shaft (126); they are not subjected to any radial displacement during angular adjustment of said shaft (126).

20 to 24, regulatory

Device according to any one of the claims, characterized in that the transverse rigid support of the mechanism is an elastomeric shoe (113) or the like attached to the housing (104) which interacts with the teeth (101a) of the outer (109) of the notched arm (101). compression, based on the load from the tape clamp (1).

Device according to any one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the transverse pivoting support of the control mechanism is formed by a gear (116) engaged in a contact notched area (101b) of the outer edge (109) of the notched arm (101) having concentric hole (118) and whose teeth • · · ·

FR-90 -43 (117a) have a pitch equal to the tooth pitch (101a) of the arm (101) and a fixed support shaft (119) to which the gear (116) is rotatably mounted, the fixed support shaft (119) having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the wheel bore (116), so that due to the radial clearance so formed, the wheel (116) can move radially between a substantially centered unlocking position in which the teeth peaks (101a) of the notched arm (101) nearest the wheel (116) are located outside the pitch circle (P) of the teeth (117a) of the wheel (116) and the notched arm (101) can thus move freely, and an eccentric locking position when the notched arm (101) exerts a force on the wheel (116) (F), resulting from a load of the pre-compressed band clamp (1) that is directed toward the axis (Oi) of the fixed support shaft (119), the apex of the tooth (101a) of the notched arm (101) being positioned between two gear teeth (117a) (116) cf. three pitch circles (P) such that the notched arm (101) and the wheel (116) are locked together, thereby causing the arms (101, 102) to stop immediately except when the pivot mechanism for pushing the notched arm (101) is actuated to a position where the peaks of its teeth (101a) are located outside the pitch circle (P), the teeth (117a) of the gear (116) are no longer blocked in the notches (101b) of the notched arm (101).

Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a ring (121) of resilient material, for example an elastomer, is inserted between the toothed portion of the gear (116) and its shaft (119) to compress the notched arm (101) resulting from the load. from the strap clamp (1), centering to cause the sliding of said arm to stop, and vice versa almost instantaneously re-centering the teeth (117) on the shaft (119) as soon as the pivoting mechanism is actuated.

Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the gear ring (117) of the gear (116) is connected to two side flanges (122) which are provided with holes and form a bore. · · · ················

FR-90 -4 4 together a recess adapted to receive a resilient ring (121) mounted on a support shaft (119) and mounted on a support shaft (119) attached to the housing (104), the diameter of the flange bore (122) being calculated at least to obtain sufficient displacement to produce a blocking effect and at maximum to limit compression of the ring (121) and thereby prevent damage to it during the large load exerted by the largest tape clips.

Device according to any one of claims 22 to 28, characterized in that the height of the teeth (101a) of the notched area (101a) at the outer edge (109) of the corresponding arm (101) increases regularly from the head of the arm (101) to its end the joint (53) by continuing the inclination of the smooth region or regions (109b, 109c) of the outer edge (109) of the notched arm (101).

Device according to any one of claims 19 to 29, characterized in that each arm head (101, 102) comprises a jaw (103) rotatable about an axis (zz ') passing through both heads in the median plane of the arms.

Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the jaw (103) of one arm (101) comprises a projection (137) extending perpendicular to the jaw of the other arm (102), provided with a corresponding recess (138) such that the projection (137) fits exactly into the recesses (138) when the two jaws (103) are joined.

Device according to any one of claims 30 or 31, characterized in that the jaws (103) are provided with an automatic return mechanism directed to a rest position corresponding to the associated engagement of the band clamps (1) once the arms are removed.

Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the automatic reversing mechanism of each jaw (103) from an angular rotation to the left or right not more than 90 from the rest position. · ··

FR-90-5 positions, consisting of a flexible shaft (140) held stationary along the axis (yy ') of the arm head, fixed on one side and sliding on the other side in the region of the head (141) and passing through the jaw rotary shaft (142) in a rest position, aligned with the head, thereby providing both holding of said jaw and a rotational reversing effect resulting from a lateral twist to the left or right.

Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 33, characterized in that the tool housing (104) is formed by two shells (104a), preferably identical to one another, made of plastic, shaped externally to serve as a gripping part for the tool (100). fixed in position relative to each other to close on one side of the two arms (101, 102) on opposite sides of the plane formed by the longitudinal groove (107) on the inner surface of each shell to receive the ends of the hinge pin (53) the arms (101, 102), which are preferably provided with ball bearings (108) to ensure their sliding between the front ends (106) and the rear ends (105) of the grooves (107) serving as stops and, on the other hand, the metal cage ( 150) a restrictive opening of the housing (104) through which both arms extend and which supports fixed or pivotal supports (111, 113, 116) on which the smooth and / or provided outer edges (110, 109) rest. arm and swing mechanism.

Apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 34, characterized in that the guide portion (152) engaging the side surfaces of the arms is located in the opening of the housing (104) to reduce transverse friction when the arms (101 and 102) slide.

Device according to claims 34 and 35, characterized in that the guide part is a plate (152) of a low friction coefficient material, for example silicone, enclosed between the two side flanges (150a) of the metal cage (150) slightly overlapping the side surfaces ramen.

9 «9999 • 9

FR-90 • 9 99

9 9

9 · 9

9 9

99 9

Device according to claims 34 and 35, characterized in that the guide part is formed by one of a plurality of parallel-axis rollers mounted at the thickness of the side flanges of the metal cage (150) to engage the side surfaces of the arms along a generating line perpendicular to their sliding direction. .